The lower level
Bais Midrash is used for weekday
prayer and classes. The second and third levels are the main sanctuary
used on Shabbos and Holidays.

Let us begin with
the Aron Kodesh, the Ark.

This two story
masterpiece was saved from the
Bialystoker region of Europe and brought to our synagogue in the early
part of the century. It is made of wood and coated with gold leaf.

The lions are
shedding a tear, symbolizing that we
are still in exile and

await the
rebuilding of the Temple with the coming
of Moshiach.

The Luchos, the Ten Commandments, are blue which, as the sages have
explained, were the natural color of the tablets that Moshe presented
to the Jewish people at Mt. Sinai.

The golden hands
are the proper position of the
Kohanim's (priests') fingers when they bless the congregation. They are
holding the symbolic crown of the Torah. The ten blessings, five on
each side of the hands, are those given by the Kohanim on Jewish
festivals (Sukkot, Passover and Shavout)

The eagle
supporting the crown of the Torah
represents the day that we will all be carried on the wings of eagles
to Israel. The Ner Tamid, the eternal light, never goes out. This
lantern remains lit 24 hours a day, symbolizing that Torah never stops.

In front of the Ark
are two candle sticks also
painted with gold leaf representing the candles lit each week for
Shabbos.

The ceiling
paintings include: The twelve zodiac
signs of the months of the year;

Four crowns - the
Crowns of Torah, Priesthood,
Royalty and a Good Name;

The
Jordan River and Kever Rochel;

The center ceiling
represents the clear sky of
Israel.

The
instruments
represent the freedom of
music,

as opposed to the
entrance mural depicting a Roman
soldier standing guard over the Jews of Bavel and forbidding music to
be played. Note the instruments tied on the tree.

The side walls
depict the Jew praying at the Kotel
Hamaaravi, the Western Wall in Jerusalem,

and on the opposite
side is a picture of an
entrance to the old city of Jerusalem, today called David's
Castle.

On the same wall is
a mural of the Bais Hamikdash,
the Holy Temple

and on the opposite
side is a picture depicting the
Mount of Olives.

The Torah commands
us to give charity every day.

The Torah also
commands us not to speak during
prayer services. This
original clapper is still used today.